Vending-machine



No. 770,719. 'PATENTED SEPT. 20, 1904. 0. A. GUNDER. VENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED mm: 15, 1903.

no MODEL. a SHEETSSHEET 1.

No. 770,719. PATENTED SEPT. 20, 1904 G. A; GUNDER.

VENDING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 15, 1903.

N0 MODEL. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

unmuw.

No. 770,719. PATENTED SEPT. 20, 1904 G. A. GUNDER.

VENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 15, 1903. 1

N0 MODEL, 7 I a sums-sum a.

CLAUDE A- GUNDER, OF

Patented September 20, 1904.

BLOOMFIELD, INDIANA.

VENDING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 770,719, dated Application filed June 15, 1903.

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CLAUDE A. GUNDER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bloomfield, in the county of Greene and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful- Improvements in Vending-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to amachine of novel structural organization for effecting vendition of goods and making change.

It frequently happens that a prospective customer is deterred from patronizinga vending-machine through lack of the proper coin.

This machine embodies a mechanism for changing a coin, as a five-cent piece, and rendering five one-cent pieces therefor, thereby placing within the reach of a customer means for changing a coin and obtaining pieces of a determinate value for operating the machine when properly deposited therein.

In devising and 'constructing themachine coins of determinate value deposited into a slot and utilized .to operate the machine are conducted to the money-changing mechanism to keep the same supplied, the surplus coins beingdirected into a receptacle.

The machine illustrated is devised to dispense miscellaneous articles, such as chewinggum, confectioner and nuts a sin le cu OI receptacle being provided to receive the goods from the several compartments or magazines.

Fora full description of the invention and the merits thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means for effecting the result reference is to be had to the following description and drawings hereto attached.

While the essential and characteristic features of the invention are susceptible of modification, still the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in Which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a vendingmachine embodying the invention. Fig. 2 1s a front View of the lower portion thereof, on a larger scale, a part of the front wall being broken away to show more clearly the relative arrangement of the vending and change mechanisms. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the frame adapted to be fitted into the cabinet or section on the line X X of Fig. 3.

September 20, 1904.

serial Nol61,585. (N0 model.)

casing and provided with the delivery and coin-actuated mechanisms. Fig. 4: is a section on the line Z Z of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a Fig. 6 is a side view of the frame, showing more particularly the mechanism for vending chewinggum. Fig. 7 is a section on the line Y Y of Fig. 3. Fig. 8 is a detail perspective View of a portion of the slide for delivering peanuts, illustrating the wall having the depression forming a side of the coin-seat. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the catch for cooperating with the slide for delivering peanuts. Fig. 10 is a side view of the coin-changing mechanism. Fig. 11 is a longitudinal section through the coin-actuated mechanism cooperating with the coin-changer. Fig. 12 is a top plan view of the change-.deliverer and the parts cooperating therewith. Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the part shown in Fig. 12. Fig. 14 is a section about on the line W W of Fig. 10. Fig. 15 is a perspective viewof the catch for cooperation with the slidebar of the coin-changer. Fig. 16 is a perspective of the wall of the delivery chute of the moneyohanger, showing the adjunctive parts. Fig. 17 is a transverse section of the wall illustrated in Fig. 16, showing the passage for delivering the coin to be changed into the moneybox.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters.

The cabinet or casing for inclosing the working parts may be of any finish and con- 'struction and comprises a series of goods-compartments 1, 2, and 3, arranged in vertical position and adapted to receive the goods either in packages or bulk. A receptacle is located about central of the front of the lower portion of the cabinet and receives the goods from the several compartments, chutes or passages being provided to convey the said goods from the various compartments thereto. In order to economize in the construction of the cabinet, the upper portion, containing the goodscompartments, is of less depth than the lower portion, which projects outward in order to top 5 of the front extension is provided with thecoin-slot, from which coinways 6 extend to convey the coins to proper position for actuation of the coin-operated mechanism when effecting vendition or delivery of the goods. A frame 7 is adapted to be fitted Within the cabinet and supports the vending and coinactuated mechanisms, said frame comprising, essentially, an upper plate 8 and a lower plate 9, the two plates being spaced apart, so as to receive between them the delivery-slides. and connected at their ends to provide a substantial structure. The upper plate 8 is provided with openings corresponding in number and position with the several goods-compartments,

,so as to register therewith, and rims 9 surround the openings and project vertically therefrom to make a close fit with the lower ends of the respective goods-compartments. Certain of the compartments are designed for containing goods, in packages-such as chewing-gum, confectionery, and the li'ke and these compartments and the mechanisms cooperating therewith are of like size. For vending peanutsand goods of analogous character the compartment and the vending mechanism are made larger. In the machine illustrated the side compartments 1 and 3 are alike, and the middle compartment 2 is of larger capacity and is adapted to contain peanuts or like goods in bulk. The goods placed in the compartments 1 and 3 are made into small packages of uniform size, and a package is delivered for each coin properly deposited. The compartments may be varied in number according to the capacity of the machine and the different kinds of goods to be vended thereby. Inasmuch as the vending and coin-actuating mechanisms for the compartments 1 and 3 are of duplicate construction, one set only will be described in detail.

The upper plate 8 is provided with an open ing 10, from which the rim 9 projects vertically, and the lower plate has a corresponding opening 11 wholly out of line with and in the front of the opening 10. The slide 12 has an opening 13, corresponding in size with the openings lOand 11 and adapted to. alternately register therewith. In its normal position the slide 12 has its opening 13 in register with the opening 10 and in line with the goods-compartment, so as to be supplied therefrom. When drawn outward, the opening 13 of the slide 12 registers with the opening 11, and the package or goods is delivered into the chute 14, which communicates at its upper end with the opening 11. When released, the slide 12 is moved inward by the spring 14, which is constructed of stout spring-wire bent into approximately the form of a bow and having a coil intermediate of its ends and having its terminal portions bent into the form of a hook to engage with respectively the slide 12 and the frame. The pull-rod 15 is connected with the slide 12, and its inner end portion is reduced, so as to pass into the space formed between the plates 8 and 9, the shoulder formed at the outer end or base of the reduced part constituting a stop to limit the inward movement of the slide. A latch 15 is pivoted at one end to the frame, as shown at 16, and is movement of the slide, this being essential to allow for a movement of the coin to effect a release of the latch in order to permit a delivery of the goods after a predetermined coin has been placed in the machine. A coinpocket 19 is pendent from the frame and is in communication with the delivery end of the coin-chute 6 and receives the coin when deposited. The slide 12 has an opening, slot, or cut-away portion 20 for reception of .the coin, the pocket 19 being of a depth to support the coin 21 in the opening or slot 20. The rear end of thelatch 15 is positioned to be engaged by the upper portion of the coin when the slide 12 is drawn forward, so as to effect a withdrawal of the stop 17 from the opening 18 to permit-a complete forward movement-of the slide when delivering an article for the coin deposited. As the slide 12 is-drawn outward the coin '21 is carried forward beneath the rear end of the latch 15, and it moves over the bottom of the pocket, and when the latter is cleared the coindrops into a-chute or conductor 22 and is conveyed thereby to the magazine 23 of the coin-changer. As the slide is pulled out the spring 14 is compressed, and when the slide is released the spring 14, regaining itself, returns the slide to a normal position.

The slide 24 for delivering peanuts or goods in bulk is formed with a measuring-chamber 25, which normally is in register with an opening 26 in the upper plate 8. An opening 27 is formed in the lower plate .9 in line with and in advance of the opening 26 and is in communication with the delivery-chute 28, and when the slide 24 is drawn outward and its measuring-chamber registers with the opening 27 the goods contained therein are delivered into the chute 28 and conveyed thereby into the cup 4 or other receptacle, so as to be readily accessible by the customer. The opening 27 is located in advance of the opening 26 a distance to admit of the measuringchamber 25 occupying a position between the two. openings without being in communication with either. Hence the measuring-chamber is completely out off from the goods-compartment prior to communicating with the opening 27. The slide 24' is moved inward by means of a spring 29, similar in'construction to the spring 14.

The coin-slot 30 is provided in the upper plate 8 to one side of the opening 26 and communicates with a cut-away portion or opening 31 of the slide. The cut-away portion 31 forms a coin pocket or opening into which the coin 32 drops and is supported by the bottom plate 9. The latch 33 for cooperation with the slide 24 is pivoted at 34 to a part of the frame and is provided between its ends with a laterally-extended pin 35, arojecting across the path of the slide 24, so as to limit its outward movement, said pin being carried out of the way by the coin 32 when it is desired to effect delivery of the goods. The front end of the latch 33 is formed with a tongue 36, which is recurved and projects through an opening in the plate 8 and normally extends in front of the slide 24 to pre-' vent its withdrawal when no coin has been cleposited into the machine to effect delivery. Upon dropping a coin of determinate value into the coin-slot it lodges in the opening or pocket 31 of the slide 24, and upon pulling said slideoutward the coin is carried beneath the pin 35, which is moved upward and effects withdrawal of the catch or stop 36 from the path of the slide, thereby permitting the latter to move outward to its utmost limit. so as to effect delivery of goods for each coin placed in the machine. When the vcoin 32 reaches a point in the travel of the slide, it drops through an opening 37 and is conveyed to the magazine 23 to supply the same with change.

The coin-changer is located below thevending and coin-actuated mechanisms andcomprises, essentially, a change-deliverer 38, a magazine 23 for containing the change, and a coin-actuated mechanism for effecting a de livery of change by means of a coin of predetermined value after the same has been deposited in the machine. The amount and kind of change to be delivered will vary for different machines according to the specific construction and the particular kind of goods to be vended. The machine illustrated is intended to be operated by one-cent pieces and the change device to be operated by a five-cent piece and to deliver five one-cent pieces for each five-cent piece placed in the machine. If a coin of smaller size than a five-cent piece be deposited in the coin-slot of the changer, such as a dime or a one-cent piece, it is refunded to the operator; but a five-cent piece is retained by the machine when once deposited, and five one-cent pieces are exchanged therefor upon proper actuation of the change mechanism by operating the slide-bar or other actuator. The change-deliverer may be a device of any construction and operates on the principle of the goods-deliverer, being arranged totravel between the magazine and a discharge opening. For convenience the change-deliverer is mounted for-oscillatory movement and consists, essentially, of a lever pivoted at one end, as'shown at 39, to a frame or other support conveniently located within the cabinet or casing, said lever moving in a horizontal plane and having a portion widened to provide a cut-off 40 to the column of change in the magazine when the opening 41 is in register with the delivery-opening 42 in communication with the chute or passage 43, by means of which the change is directed into the cup or receptacle 44. The change-deliverer operates between upper and lower plates in a'manner similar to the delivery-slides of the vending mechanism, and a spring 45 cooperates therewith to hold the deliverer in a normal position, which is with the opening 41 in register with the magazine 23. The free end of the deliverer is in engagement with the slide-bar 46 and is operated thereby. A pivoted latch 47 has a stop 48, which normally projects across the path of the outer end of the deliverer 38 to prevent operation thereof if theprescribed coin has not been deposited. A tongue 49 extends over the slide-bar and down upon the inner side thereof, and when moved upward by means of a coin of predetermined value the stop 48 is withdrawn from the path of the deliverer and the latter is free tomove to the limit of its outward movement, whereby the change contained in the opening 41 is dropped into the opening 42 and is directed into the cup or receptacle 44 by means of the chute 43. The slide-bar 46 is formed with a vertical opening 50, which receives the coin to be changed, and upon drawing the slide outward the coin contained in the opening 50 passes under the tongue 49 and elevates the free end of the latch and withdraws the stop 48 from the path of the deliverer and permits a discharge of the change in the mannerstated.

hen the slide-bar is released, the operatingspring 45 returns the parts to a normal position. The opening 41 is of a size to snugly receive five one-cent pieces or other predetermined change, and when the deliverer is operated to make change the cut-off 40 comes beneath the magazine therein, and when the deliverer returns to a normal position after making change the column of one-cent pieces drops a distance corresponding to the height of five one-cent pieces which enter the opening 41. The magazine 23 is of cylindrical or tubular form and contains the change and is provided at its upper end with a receiver 51 of scoop shape to receive the one-cent pieces from the coin-actuated mechanisms of the vending-machine and direct the same into the magazine, thereby replenishing said magazine and keeping it at all times supplied with change. When themagazine becomes filled to overflowing, the surplus coins are directed by the receiver 51 into the coin receptacle or box.

One wall of the chute or passage 43 is cut away upon its inner side, as shown at 52, and

small coins, such as a dime and one-cent pieces, placed in the coin-slot 53 pass through the machine and are refunded, the opening 54 in the bottom plate of the frame opposite the opening of the slide-bar 46 being of a size to admit of such coins passing therethrough into the chute 43 by way of the cutaway portion 52. The opening 54 is of such a size as to prevent the passage of a five-cent piece therethrough. Hence they are retained and are carried forward with the slide-bar when the latter is operated, and passing beneath the part 49 of the latch effect a release of the change-deliverer in the manner stated, the five one-cent pieces dropping into a coin box or receptacle within the machine through a passage in the opposite side of said wall having the passage or cut-away portion 52.

The operating parts being assembled in substantially the manner as herein set forth and it being desired to operate the machine, a coin of predetermined value, such as a one-cent piece, being deposited in any one of thecoinslots communicating with the chutes 6 is conveyed thereby to the pocket of the selected vending-slide, and upon pulling the slide outward by means of the rod connected therewith the coin releases the slide from the latch or locking device and admits of the goods reaching'the delivery-opening in the bottom of the frame containing the slide and passing from thence to the cup or receptacle by way of the chute or passage, where it may be readily obtained by the operator. The coin after performing the'function of releasing the vending-slide is. delivered into the magazine of the coin-changer. Should a person not be supplied with the prescribed coin for actuating the machine, change may be obtained by depositing a coin, such as a five-cent piece, into the coin-slot 53 of the coin-changer, when said coin will pass into the pocket or opening of the actuator of the change-deliverer, and upon operating said actuator, which in the present instance is the slide-bar 46, the livecent piece is retained by the machine and the equivalent therefor in change delivered into the cup or receptacle 44, where it may be readily obtained by the person. The required goods may be obtained by depositing a onecent piece into-a selected coin-slot corresponding with the goods to be obtained, vendition being-effected in the manner stated.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. In combination, a vending mechanism having a supporting-frame provided with a plurality of openings, a plurality of vendingslides operating above the openings in the supporting-frame and provided with independent coin-receptacles, said coin-receptacles being provided with outlet-openings adapted to register with the openings in the supportingframe aforesaid at predetermined points in the movement of the slides, a money-changer comprising delivery means and a change-' magazine, and chutes extending from the openings on the supporting-frame to the changemagazine to conveythe coin-actuating vending mechanism to the said magazines.

2. In combination, a coin-actuated vending mechanism, a frame having a delivery-chute and passages formed in opposite sides of a wall of the delivery-chute and located the one in advance of the other, a change-deliverer, an actuatorhaving a coin-opening in communication with the passage leading into the delivery-chute to effect a refund of coin of smaller size than the prescribed coin, and a lock device to be operated by the predetermined coin which latter is deposited into the second of the aforementioned passages, substantiallyas and for the purpose specified.

3. In combination, a coin-actuated vending mechanism, a frame having a delivery-opening, a magazine for containing the change arranged out of vertical alinement with the delivery-opening, a change-deliverer pivoted at one end and having-a part near the opposite end widened to provide a cut-off and a part having an opening, the cut-off normally clos ing the'lower end of the magazine and supporting the coin therein when the opening is in register with said delivery-opening, a slidebar having the opposite end of the pivoted change-deliverer in engagement therewith, and a coin-operated lock for normally'holding the slide-bar against movement, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CLAUDE A. GUNDER.

Witnesses:

JOSEPHINE BAKER, ARRIE FREELAND. 

